Dear Neighbors, First, I want to send my heartfelt thoughts to the people of Ukraine. Minnesota stands firmly with the people of Ukraine, a sovereign nation that is under attack. It’s important that we stand up for freedom, democracy, and peace. A bill sanctioning Russia is expected to be passed off the House floor soon. Women’s History MonthWhile we celebrate Women’s History Month, I am dedicated to honoring the legacy of the amazing trailblazers who led the way before me, and I will continue to fight to make the future a better place for all women. This session, there are multiple bills proposed to improve the lives of women across the state. They include: #EndPeriodPovertyMN (HF 2750) Conversion Therapy Ban (HF 2156) ERA MN (HF 406) Homeless youth bill, including a study on pregnancy (HF 3661) Uterine Fibroid Study (HF 2918) Breast Cancer Testing (HF 2414) WomenVenture Childcare (HF 2352) Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Anti-Asian hate crimes were up 260% in the United States in 2021, and in Minnesota, recent data shows overall hate crimes climbed by 39%. My hate crimes bill will improve reporting of bias incidents and hate crimes along with training police officers to identify and support victims. I urge my colleagues to join us in advancing this safety measure Here is an article that goes further into depth on this concerning rise. The State’s New Budget SurplusMinnesota Management and Budget announced a new budget forecast recently, and the results are historic for our state. You can review MMB’s thorough presentation here, where a projected $9.25 billion surplus is shown for the current biennium. This forecast reflects the resilience of the working families of our state. However, we have seen that far too many are not sharing in this economic recovery that they helped create. That is why my House DFL colleagues and I are advancing a slate of legislation to address the issues of working families like childcare, education, and paid family leave. I will continue doing everything I can at the Capitol to deliver for the families of our communities. Banning Conversion Therapy for Kids and Young AdultsOne of the most important responsibilities the legislature has is to ensure our children are protected. Recently, a Minnesota House committee passed a ban on conversion therapy for kids and young adults. Conversion therapy has had a long history of being a discredited practice, and has been linked to depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, and even suicide. It also seeks to help prevent parents from being taken advantage of by deceptive agents of the conversion therapy industry. This would change lives, improve lives, and save lives. Protecting WorkersDuring the COVID pandemic, frontline workers have risked their safety for the protection of our communities. That is why I joined my House DFL colleagues in passing HF 2900, investing $1 billion for bonus payments to at least 667,000 frontline workers. These heroes have had our backs, it’s time to have theirs too. You can watch the entire House floor debate here. |